SAILING TERMINOLOGY

Abeam- The area at a right angle beside a boat aligned with the center of the boat.

Aboard- When something or someone is on or in a boat.

Above Deck- When someone is on deck and not in a cabin underneath.

Aft- Refers to the back area of a boat.

Aloft- A position high above a boat's deck.

Astern- The area behind a boat.

Bank- An area of shallow water created by a raised portion of the ground.

Barge- An enormous cargo-carrying boat with a flat bottom that transports large pieces of freight, typically accompanied by a tug boat.

Beam- The widest dimension of the hull of a boat.

Bear Away- The act of steering a boat away from the wind.

Below- The area beneath the main deck.

Bend- The act of fastening or securing ropes on a boat.

Bow- The front portion of a boat.

Breaker- A wave that turns to foam as it hits land.

Bridle- A strong connection of cables used for towing ships and boats.

Buoy- A floating marker in the water.

Cable- A heavy length of rope.

Capsize- When a boat turns over in the water.

Careen- When a boat tilts or leans to the side.

Centerline- The center of the boat that spans its full length.

Cleat- A fitting made of metal or other strong material, attached to a boat where a line can be fastened.

Coil- Making loops in a stretch of rope or line in order to properly store it.

Compass- An instrument with a needle that determines direction.

Deck- A floor of a boat.

Dinghy- A small boat carried on board a ship that's used to transport people to and from the craft.

Ebb tide- When the sea's tide is going out.

Elbow- A type of knot that connects two ropes.

Even keel- When a boat is sailing in an upright, balanced position.

Fair wind- A wind that is favorable for a particular sailing direction.

Fid- A tool used for splicing a rope.

Foot- The lower edge of a sail.

Fore- Refers to the front area of a boat.

Frap - The technique of wrapping rope around equipment on a boat to keep it steady and secure.

Furl- The act of securely rolling up a sail.

Galley- The area designated for food preparation on a boat.

Girtline- A rope with a block attached to it that is used to transport supplies to high areas on a boat or ship.

Halyard- A type of line used to help hoist a sail.

Helm- The wheel or tiller of a boat.

Hull- The body of a boat.

Inshore- In the direction of a shoreline.

Jib- The sail at the front of a boat.

Keel- A steel piece at the bottom of a boat that supports its frame.

Knot- A measurement of one nautical mile.

Latitude- Location north or south of the equator that is measured in degrees.

Leeward- Sailing in a downwind direction.

Longitude- Location east or west of the prime meridian that is measured in degrees.

Moor- To secure a boat in place with the help of an anchor or heavy cables.

Mooring Line- A heavy cable that secures a boat to a pier.

Nautical- A term relating to sailors and watercraft.

Offshore wind- Air that is moving away from a shoreline.

Pitch- The rising and falling motion of a boat on rough seas.

Port- The left side of a boat.

Put about- The act of changing the course of a boat.

Put in- To sail into a harbor or other stopping place.

Rigging- The collection of ropes, chains, and other equipment that helps to sail a boat.

Rudder- A steering instrument located at the stern of a boat.

Shoal- A shallow area in a body of water.

Starboard- The right side of a boat.

Stay- Heavy cable that gives support to a ship's mast.

Stern- The back of a boat.

Sternway- The motion of a ship moving backwards.

Stow- To pack or secure equipment on a boat.

Take in- To furl a sail.

Tiller- A metal or wood handle that moves a boat's rudder.

Trim- The act of adjusting the angle of a boat's sails.

Undertow- A current deep in the sea that moves in opposition to the levels of water above it.

Unfurl- To open a rolled up sail.

Veer- When a boat moves its stern to the wind and changes its original direction.

Wake- The trail left behind a boat that is moving through the water.

Waterline- The point where the surface of the water meets the hull of a boat.

Weigh Anchor- To lift a ship's anchor from the bottom of the sea in preparation to sail.

Whitecap- A type of wave that has a foamy, white top.

Windward- Sailing in an upwind direction.

Yard- A pole or rod that gives support to a sail.

Zephyr- A gentle, calm breeze